Art Berke, a lifelong White Sox fan, has worked at the highest levels of the sports industry with Major League Baseball, ABC Television and Sports Illustrated. He grew up in Northwest Indiana, in the shadow of old Comiskey Park, and proudly proclaims 2005 as the best year of his life. Art offers his glass half-full opinions and observations as he lives and dies with the Sox.

Sox-wise and Otherwise

Well, the Winter Meetings are now in the rear-view mirror and the hope of some blockbuster White Sox news went right along with it. But we knew that Kenny Williams had something up his sleeve and it’s just been announced, as rumored, that J.J. Putz has signed a one-year deal with the Sox for $3 million. He’s coming off an injury, but if he can get back to his previous form he’ll be a big asset. He’ll be reunited with his buddy, former Mariner Matt Thornton.

While the Hideki Matsui and Coco Crisp rumors are still out there, lo and behold a new name has surfaced–the Yankees’ 26-year-old centerfielder Brett Gardner. With the Yanks outfield pretty well set, it certainly is a possibility New York will deal Gardner under the right circumstances. Word is Kenny Williams likes him, he has dealt with Yanks GM Brian Cashman in the past and it does give us a leadoff hitter. With Scotty Pods holding out for a two-year pact and Crisp still a rumor, perhaps the Sox think this is the answer–though some feel it’s up in the air if he can be an everyday player. In 150 major league games Gardner has hit .270 with 26 stolen bases. He was chosen by the Yanks in the 2005 draft out of the College of Charleston.

GBeck to Lead Off?He Hopes Not

Speaking of the quest for a leadoff hitter, Gordon Beckham has gone on record that he hopes he doesn’t land in that spot. “I’ve heard the rumors,” he told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune. “I kinda hope I don’t lead off. I’ve never lead off before.” After saying that, Beckham followed up with what you would expect out of him. “If I have to bat leadoff, I’ll make do. I’ll work at being good at it. I’m OK if they want me to bat there.”

Looking into the Future

The following are the Sox Top 10 prospects as determined by baseball analyst John Sickels:

Hudson and Flowers spent time with the Sox at the end of 2009 and could be in the picture next year. The conventional wisdom is that the Sox want Flowers to get more experience at AAA Charlotte instead of serving as A.J.’s backup. Among the others, Danks probably has the best chance of playing in Chicago next season.

Tiger, Take Note

My non-Sox note of the week: If Tiger had only heeded the wisdom of the great JohnWooden: “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”

I think the Putz signing is going to pay some nice dividends to the White Sox before the end of 2010.
The guy seemed out of sorts in the National League, and your team can always use a quality guy in the back end of the Bullpen just in case Bobby Jenks has some relaspes in 2010.
I still think Kenny williams will go after Coco Crisp. He fits the mode of players that Ozzie likes, plus he can be a great bat at the top of the order along with some base stealing ability. Next week or so should tell the story of if he is going to come to the southside of Chic-town.

Loved your comment about John Wooden. He was and probably always will be the greatest coach of all time in any sports. Hands down. And his thought-provoking words are some of the best I have ever read.

One of his best lines of all time: “Be quick, but don’t hurry!”

And, Art, we all know the best thing about John Wooden’s resume. In spite of growing up in Martinsville, Ind., just a stone’s throw away from a certain four-year institution, John Wooden elected to attend college and play basketball at the state’s finest school, Purdue University!!!!!! Go Boilers and Go Sox!!!!

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